JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s fuel picture is shifting again this week, following on from July’s petrol relief — though not every driver will be walking away from the pumps happy this time.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed the official fuel prices for August 2026, effective from Wednesday, August 5.
For petrol users, the news leans positive: both 93 and 95 octane will drop by 52 cents a litre. Diesel users face the opposite outcome, with prices climbing between R1.23 and R1.38 a litre, depending on the grade.
The department attributes the split outcome to a mix of global and local pressures.
Renewed hostilities linked to the US launching new attacks against Iran pushed oil prices above $90 a barrel, briefly threatening a far steeper hike before prices eased back toward $82 a barrel as tensions cooled.
Diesel’s increase stems largely from tightening international supply.
Russia’s restrictions on diesel exports amid its conflict with Ukraine, combined with Middle East refineries running below capacity, pushed diesel’s contribution to the Basic Fuel Price up sharply, even as petrol’s contribution fell.
A weaker rand added further pressure across the board, slipping from R16.34 to R16.46 against the US dollar over the review period.
This marks the second consecutive month of contrasting fortunes at the pump. That followed a sharper swing in June, when diesel fell steeply while petrol climbed, not long after the temporary government fuel levy subsidy came to an end.
With talks between the US and Iran set to resume today, the direction fuel prices take next month may hinge on how those discussions unfold.
What South Africans will pay for petrol and diesel in August 2026
At the coast, motorists will pay R24.63 for 93 octane and R24.71 for 95 octane, while inland prices sit at R25.42 and R25.58 respectively.
Diesel ranges from R25.30 to R26.70 a litre depending on grade and region.
The full magisterial district zone breakdown will be published on Tuesday, August 4.
